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Sophia Gray Lectures & Exhibitions
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The School of Architecture at the University of the Free State started the annual Sophia Gray Lectures and Exhibitions in 1989. It was initiated and conceptualized by Prof. Paul KOTZE, 2002. The aims of this series are to highlight the contribution that architects and architecture make to society and were, initially at least, intended to create positive role models for the student body of the School of Architecture.
It was named after the first professionally active architect in Bloemfontein, namely Sophia GRAY. It is generally agreed that she was responsible for the design of the initial chapel that eventually evolved into the Anglican Cathedral of St Michael and St Andrew in St George’s Street in the city.
Although not formally trained as an architect, Sophia GRAY is considered to be South Africa’s first female architect. She was the wife of the first Anglican Bishop of Cape Town,Robert Gray . They arrived in South Africa in 1848. Sophia GRAY designed and built approximately 58 churches during the 25 years in which they established the Anglican Church in the country.
The lecture and exhibition series is seen as a way to:
- Honour the person or a group of people. As criteria for invitation, the staff of the School of Architecture must be convinced that the person or group has made a fundamental contribution to the praxis of architecture, the theoretical debate within the profession or to professional matters. Those invited should have a sense of, and take responsibility for, the effects that their creations have on the well-being, life and advancement/development of the general community. The invitee (s) must have a connection with the Southern African region. The process of selection is one of proposal, debate and consensus.
- Draw attention to the architectural heritage of the City of Bloemfontein. The city has a rich architectural tradition, and attention is drawn to it by choice venue.
- Serve the community. The lectures and exhibitions are seen as one of the many ways in which the University of the Free State, and the School of Architecture engage in and assist the community.
- Engage in the regional and international architectural debate. By its nature, the Lectures and Exhibitions serve as a window into the thoughts of the selected contributors and as a means to gather basic information regarding their work.
Previous Sophia Gray Laureates
The topics of their lectures and the venues are as follows (the city in which the invitee resided in at the time of invitation is indicated in brackets);
| 1989 | Ms. Mira FASSLER KAMSTRA (Architect, Johannesburg) MIMICRY and CAMOUFLAGE (INSPIRATION and INTERPRETATION OF A SOUTHERN AFRICAN ARCHITECTURE) Lecture and Exhibition: Old Presidency, President Brand Street. Exhibition repeated, as part of a group exhibition with UYTENBOGAARDT and FAGAN, at the Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg and as a solo exhibition at the South African National Gallery, Cape Town. University of Pretoria School of Architecture in the Ou Lettere gebou - University of Pretoria Building and in Windhoek under the auspices of the Namibian Institute of Architects. Lecture published as: Fassler Kamstra, M. 1990. Mimicry and camouflage Architecture SA July/August 1990: 36-40. |
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| 1990 | Prof. Roelof S UYTENBOGAARDT (†) (Architect & Urban Designer and Professor, University of Cape Town) TIMELESS IN ARCHITECTURE Lecture and Exhibition: Queen’s Fort, Church Street. Exhibition repeated, as part of a group exhibition with FASSLER KAMSTRA and FAGAN, at the Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg and as a solo exhibition at the South African National Gallery, Cape Town., the Port Elizabeth Art Gallery, at the Old Town House (Greenmarket Square, CT), Windhoek under the auspices of the Namibian Institute of Architects and the Johannes Stegmann Gallery, UFS. |
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| 1991 | Dr. Gawie FAGAN (†) (Architect, Cape Town) ARCHITECT AND COMMUNITY Lecture and Exhibition: Abraham Fischer Residence and School of Architecture UFS. Exhibition repeated, as part of a group exhibition with FASSLER KAMSTRA and UYTENBOGAARDT, at the Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg and as a solo exhibition at the South African National Gallery, Cape Town and the Art Gallery of the University of Stellenbosch. |
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| 1992 | Mr. Wilhelm O MEYER (†) (Architect, Johannesburg) THE THREE PASTS TO OUR PRESENT Lecture and Exhibition: UFS Boyden Observatory, Maselspoort. See also Co-Arc who we are. |
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| 1993 | Dr. Glen GALLAGHER (†) (Architect, Johannesburg) THE EXCLUSION OF CONCLUSION IN ARCHITECTURE Lecture and Exhibition: Fourth Raadsaal, President Brand Street. Lecture and Exhibition was repeated at the Sandton Library and Art Gallery. Exhibition material formed the base of another exhibition at the University of Pretoria School of Architecture. See also Gapp website. |
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| 1994 | Mr. Jack BARNETT (†) (Architect, Cape Town) BUILDING THE BEST – THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA'S ESSENTIAL MISSION Lecture and Exhibition: Corobrik brick factory. |
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| 1995 | Mr. Hannes MEIRING (†) (Architect, Pretoria) ARCHITECTURE – THE GREAT ADVENTURE Lecture and Exhibition: National Museum, Aliwal Street. |
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| 1996 | Prof. Amancio GUEDES (†) (Architect, Lisbon and Emeritus Professor, University of the Witwatersrand) SEVEN MANIFESTOES Lecture and Exhibition: Bloemfontein City Hall, President Brand Street. Lecture repeated at the School of Architecture & Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand. See also Pancho Guedes website. |
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| 1997 | Dr. Revel FOX (†) (Architect, Cape Town) Reflections on the Making of Space Lecture: Ramblers Club, Aliwal Street Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. The exhibition was repeated as a solo exhibition at the South African National Gallery in Cape Town. Exhibition Catalogue published as: Fox, J. Ed. 1998. REVEL FOX: REFLECTIONS ON THE MAKING OF SPACE. Cape Town [s.n.]. See also Revel Fox and Partners website. |
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| 1998 | Prof. Adéle Naudé SANTOS (Architect & Urban Designer and Professor, University of California [Berkeley], San Francisco) Narrative Maps: Concepts and Creations Lecture: Anglican Cathedral of St Andrew and St Michael, St Georges Street. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. The lecture was repeated at the School of Architecture & Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand. and at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal School of Architecture. The exhibition was repeated at the University of Pretoria School of Architecture. See also Santos Prescott and Associates website. |
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| 1999 | Dr. Jack DIAMOND (Architect, Toronto) Practicing Scales Lecture: Reunion Hall, Grey College. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Exhibition repeated at the School of Architecture, University of Pretoria. See also Diamond Schmitt website. |
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| 2000 | Prof. Stanley SAITOWITZ (Architect and Professor, University of California [Berkeley], San Francisco) EXPANDED ARCHITECTURE Lecture: SEDCOM Auditorium, Fairview Street, Bloemfontein. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Exhibition repeated at the Pretoria Art Museum. Lecture repeated at the School of Architecture & Planning of the University of the Witwatersrand. Stanley Saitowitz Natoma Architects Inc website. |
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| 2001 | Dr. Hentie LOUW (Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle upon Tyne) Architecture and craft: a working relationship? Lecture: SA Armour Museum, Tempe. Lecture published as: Louw, H. 2002. 'Architecture & Craft: a Working Relationship?' Acta Varia Architecturae>, 2 University of the Free State. Lecture repeated at the University of Pretoria School of Architecture. |
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| 2002 | Mr. Louis KAROL (Architect, Cape Town) 50 Years in the City Lecture: SEDCOM Auditorium, Fairview Street Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. |
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| 2003 | Mr. Peter BUCHANAN (Architect & Author, London) Architecture of the Emergent Epoch Lecture: SEDCOM Auditorium, Fairview Street, Bloemfontein. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Exhibition repeated at the Fassler Gallery, School of Architecture & Planning, University of the Witwatersrand and at the University of Pretoria School of Architecture. Prior to being exhibited in Bloemfontein the exhibition material formed part of the 'Ten Shades of Green' Exhibition in New York. The exhibition material formed part of the basis for the book: Buchanan, P. 2005. Ten Shades of Green. New York: Architectural League of New York. |
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| 2004 | Mr. Paul MIKULA (Architect, Durban) A Great big box called ARCHITECTURE Lecture: Recreation Hall of the Free State Psychiatric Complex. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Exhibition repeated at the School of Architecture & Planning, University of the Witwatersrand. |
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| 2005 | Prof. Bannie BRITZ (†) (Architect & Urban Designer and Emeritus Professor, University of the Free State) Stories…Architecture…Life Lecture: Centenary Complex, University of the Free State. Exhibtion: Centenary Complex and Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street. Lecture published as: Britz, B. 2009. FRONT PIECE: Sophia Gray memorial lecture: 2005 Edited version Journal of the SA Institute of Architects Special Issue: July/August 2009: 07-14 |
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| 2006 | OMMDesignworkshop, (Architects, Durban) Ms. Janina MASOJADA & Mr. Andrew MAKIN BORROWING SPACE AND TIME Lecture: The Reservoir, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Lecture published as: . 2007. BORROWING SPACE AND TIME: CONTRIBUTING TO THE RECONCEPTION OF MODERN AFRICAN SPACE Journal of the SA Institute Jan/Feb: 14-21. As well as: LIPMAN, A. 2007. 'AN INVITATION TO DEBATE'. Journal of the SA Institute January/February 2007: 25-26 |
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| 2007 | Prof. Jo NOERO (Architect and Professor, University of Cape Town) the expedient and the ethical, the everyday and the extraordinary SEDCOM Auditorium, Fairview Street, Bloemfontein. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis. Exhibition repeated, as a solo exhibition at the South African National Gallery, Cape Town. Lecture published as: NOERO, J. 2007. 'The Expedient and the Ethical, the Everyday and the Extraordinary.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov/Dec:8-35. |
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| 2008 | VAN DER MERWE MISZEWSKI (Architects, Cape Town) Ms. Anya VAN DER MERWE MISZEWSKI & Mr. Macio MISZEWSKI van der merwe miszewski projects SEDCOM Auditorium, Fairview Street, Bloemfontein. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Lecture published as: Van der Merwe, A. 2008. 'The van der Merwe Miszewski Partnership'. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov./Dec. 2008:10-15. As well as: COOKE, J. 2008. 'Notes of the van der Merwe Miszewski Method'. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov/Dec: 18-23. As well as: van der Merwe Miszewski Architects, 2008. 'Highveld House.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov./Dec: 26-29. |
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| 2009 | Prof. Walter PETERS (Architect and Emeritus Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban) More Ways of being an Architect Lecture: SEDCOM Auditorium, Fairview Street, Bloemfontein. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein. Exhibition repeated as a solo exhibition at the http://artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=10495 Natal Association of Arts, Durban. Lecture published as: PETERS, W. 2009. More ways of being an Architect. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov./Dec. 2009:48-57 |
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| 2010 | Dr. Jaco WASSERFALL (Architect, Windhoek.) NO GRAFFITI, PLEASE! STULTORUM CALAMI CARBONES MOENIA CHARAE Lecture: SEDCOM Auditorium, Fairview Street Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street |
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| 2011 | Peter RICH (Architect, Johannesburg.) LEARNT IN TRANSLATION Lecture: Fairview Conference Centre (formerly SEDCOM Auditorium), Fairview Street Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street Lecture published as: Hall, T. (Edited by Viljoen, B) . 2011. 'Peter Rich - Learnt in Translation. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov/Dec: 10 - 28. Edited version of introduction to the lecture: Joubert, ‘O. An Introduction. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov. / Dec. 2011: 5 - 6. Review of Exhibition. FISHER, R. 2011. 'Sketched in Translation - The Architectural Line Drawing as Orthography.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov/Dec: 6. Kotze, P. 2011. 'Notes on the Lecture and Exhibition.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov/ Dec: 28 - 29. |
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| 2012 | Stan FIELD (Field Architecture, Palo Alto, California,USA) Lecture: Lecture Hall, C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje, Harry Smith Street. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street. Lecture published as: Louw, E. (With notes by Field, E) 2012. 'The Work of Stan Field.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov/Dec: 10-25. |
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| 2013 | Kate OTTEN (Architect, Johannesburg.) Architecture for Every Day Lecture: Callie Human Hall, UFS Campus Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street Lecture published as: Otten, K. 2013. 'Architecture for Every Day.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Sept/Oct: 12-25. |
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| 2014 | PN MASHABANE and J ROSE (†) Landscape, History and Context Lecture: Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk - Klipkerk, Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein (Church designed by Louw and Moerdyk, Architects). Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street. Lecture published as: Mashabane, P & Rose, J. 2014. 'Landscape, History and Context.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Sept/Oct: 12-27. Review of Exhibition: Peters, W. 2014. 'Sophia Gray Exhibition. MRA: Designers of ‘Social Situations’ and crafted objects.' Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Sept/Oct: 28 |
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| 2015 | Anton ROODT Big dreams in a small city, places of memory - spaces of imagination Lecture: The Civic, Markgraaff Street Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street Book Review: FISHER, R.2018. 'Dreaming Big’. (Book on the 27th Sophia Gray Memorial Lecture). Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Jan/Feb: 8 |
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| 2016 | Al STRATFORD REDUCTIVE INNOVATION IN ARCHITECTURE |
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| 2017 | ELPHICK PROOME ARCHITECTS EVOLUTION. Joint lecture by Mr George Elphick and Mr Nick Proome. Lecture: Kovsie Kerk, c/o Nelson Mandela & DF Malherbe Ave. Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street. Lecture published as: Elphic, G & Proome 2018. 'Evolution', Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Jan/Feb : 16 - 27. Review of Exhibition published as:PETERS, W. 2018. EPA on Exhibit, Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Jan/Feb: 6. |
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| 2018 | 'Ora JOUBERT LA PROMENADE ARCHITECTURALE Lecture: Kovsie Kerk, Cnr of DF Malan and Nelson Mandela Drive Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street. Lecture published as: Joubert, ‘O, 2019. 'La Promenade Architecturale - A Journey Through Time and Space'. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Jan/Feb: 15-21. Review of Exhibition published as: Verster, W. ‘Ora Joubert: A Career on Display. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Jan/Feb 2019: 6 - 7. |
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| 2019 | Mr. Jonathan JACOBSON, Metropolis Architects, Cape Town. in[de]finite Lecture: Fairview Conference Centre, Fairview Street Exhibition: Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Harry Smith Street Lecture published as: Jacobson, J. 2020. In(de)finite. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. Nov/Dec: 13-21. |
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| 2020 | There was no lecture due to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
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| 2021 | Lucien LE GRANGE |
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| 2022 | Mphethi MOROJELE |
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| 2023 | Nadia TROMP |
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| 2024 | EARTHWORLD ARCHITECTS |
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Notes:
- The original drawings and diaries of Sophia GRAY and her husband, Bishop Robert Gray, are kept at the 'Historical Papers' section of the University of the Witwatersrand, William Cullen Library.
- The institutional affiliations and cities where the invitees lived in as indicated in the list were correct at the time of them presenting the lecture and exhibition. These details have changed for some in the mean time.
- For more information references can be made to the following publications:
Gutsche, T. 1970. The Bishop's Lady. Cape Town: Timmins.
Kotze, CP 1998. In Memory of Sophia Gray [Part 1] Journal of the South African Institute of Architects. September:35-42.
Kotze, CP, 1998. In Memory of Sophia Gray [Part 2] Journal of the South African Institute of Architects. October:43-47.
Kotze, CP. 2002. 'The Sophia Gray Memorial Lectures and Exhibitions.' Acta Structilia Vol. 8. No. 1 p71-78.
LOUW, M. 2020. 'Technical Design Approaches: An Overview of the work of South Africa’s first 30 Sophia Gray Laureates.' Journal of the South African Institute of Architects. December: 34-41.
Martin, D. 2002. The Churches of Bishop Robert Gray & Mrs. Sophia Gray: an historical and architectural review. Unpublished PhD Thesis (Historical Studies) University of Cape Town. Martin, D. 2005. The Bishop's churches. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
Prof. Paul KOTZE
School of Architecture & Planning, University of the Witwatersrand.
Mr. Kobus DU PREEZ
Department of Architecture, University of the Free State.
With assistance from: Ms. Rene du Plessis, Librarian and Research Assistant, UFS.